  | ||
|
Spill Guts Here. It's gotta go somewhere, know what I mean? Can you stand it?
purls before swine
Geek Knitting
West Indian Parade
West Indian Parade
Dog/Cat Wrestling
|
4.30.2002
LYS REVIEW Finally had a chance to pop by "Knitting Hands" 398 Atlantic Avenue (at Bond Street),(ph. 718-858-knit) today. It's a large and well designed space. First the things I liked about this shop, then the minorly bitchy "cons" (not many!). ;->
Yarn selection was moderately large, with a good mix of "staples" and "fancy" types. Brown Sheep, Karabella, Manos De Uraguay, Patons etc. Plenty of patterns, including big binders labeled "Mittens", Kids Sweaters", etc. to choose from. The sweaters in the shop (for display purposes of the types of yarns, I guess) were knitted well, correct gauge, nicely finished, which shows (to me) that the owners understand and excel at the craft, unlike another LYS (not to be named), where the owner barely does. Most, but not all knitting/crochet magazines and books are available, including my favorite, "REBECCA" from Germany. YEA!!! Some classic books are missing, but the shop has been open only a month, so maybe they will expand the selection in the future. Needles...here's where I'm very happy. They have a great selection of Bamboos, woods and my absolute favorite Swallow Casien (sp?) made from milk. Oh, I love these needles. They smell faintly like babies. Owners seem pretty mellow, I sort of introduced myself at the end, wanted to get a regular customer experience. Open 7 days, call for hours. Ok, get your wallet out, and empty it. This is one of the most expensive yarn shops in the city. Yeah, I get my yarn wholesale, but still I've been known to pick up some at retail on occasion, if it's really nice. For less gougemare prices, I still recommend School Products. As a matter of fact, I picked up some beautiful cotton at "Xio's Closet" on the way back home. Xio's a crochet designer, with a little yarn for sale on the side at 529 Atlantic Avenue (Just across from the post office). 8 skeins for $40. She is also teaching crochet classes at "Knitting Hands". Xio's a lovely woman, and if you are interested in learning to crochet, I'd check out her classes. "Knitting Hands" does not carry t-pins, and the saleswoman looked at me like I was a nut when I asked for them. OK, whatever. I'll hold those pieces together with my teeth while a finish my knits. Dumb dumb name. Why can't knitting shop owners get a bit more sophisticated with the naming conventions? They give classes, expensive ones. If money is no object to you, go for it. Lily Chin is teaching a three hour finishing class in June for $45.plus supplies. While I'm sure she knows what she's doing, I strongly disliked her last book. Worth a visit, at least for "Rebecca" and needles.
Have been in geek mode, playing with/customizing my new computer. Bought an inCREDibly inspirational book yesterday at B&N that I've had my eye on for quite some time: "The Art of Manipulating Fabric", by Colette Wolff. Bit the bullet and ponied up the $30. clams for it, so very, very worth it..although I could have gotten it on Amazon for $10.-$15. less, damn it, but I wanted it THEN, so I got it.
This woman is quite an artist, an obsessed and very focused one, the kind I can relate to. She uses plain muslin( a beautiful fabric, BTW) for her examples, I've already started experimenting with knit fabrics instead. Took my stinking little pet to the park this AM, and let him get in a mud party down by the waterfall by the new Audubon Center before his bath later. A beautiful day today, a little nippy. Taking a walk down Atlantic Avenue later to check out a new knitting shop I heard just opened. Need a cool shop here in Brooklyn to send my students to get knitting supplies. Will report back tommorrow... 4.25.2002
Beginner Knitting class concluded last night, and I didn't want to let my brilliant students go! Brooklyn women are the best. Thanks for the snacks and memories, girls.
Been sewing alot, just haven't rustled up the energy to put my knitting machines back together yet. Into 2 or 3 tiered, hand-pleated "prairie" skirts. ALso, gold printed on cream a-line dresses with crocheted suede belts. SPent the greater part of my 2 days off troubleshooting an Ethernet connection between my new (old) Powerbook (I love you, PowerBook!!!!), and my desktop mac. For future reference: Get a "Crossed wire cable" next time, not a regular ethernet cable (from a PC only shop, of course, thanks guys), when eternetting Macs together. The cable was the last thing I checked. Once I replaced it, all went smoothly. PB is almost ready to come to the shop and go to work. Customizing is almost done. Fighting the mental block keeping me from installing QuickBooks. The yellow miniature rosebush is inexplicably dying. Everthing else is thriving, and the house smells like gardenia. Updating the class schedule now... 4.20.2002
A small pot of French lavender, and a Gardenia bush are the new additions to the indoor garden. Just wasn't in a tiny rosebush mood this am. Almost got a Crown of Thorns, but couldn't carry that much and walk the monkey at the same time. Maybe next week.
I'm actually into the "break-up" diet, I needed to lose a few, and I feel ok about it. In negotiations for a used powerbook ("Lombard" model), with USB ports AND a serial port. That would solve all my computer needs, and be portable as well. Just decided to give the seller what he's asking, and not bargain. I want it. Then comes the camera, then I can start visually documenting my work. Sometimes it takes me a while to get it together. ;-> It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. 4.18.2002
Thanks to everyone for the moral support, it means alot! I have to say that things are really ok now. The miniature rosebush bloomed, and now there are tiny yellow roses in the bathroom. I'm getting a red one next week at the farmers market at Grand Army Plaza. Have space for lots of plants in there, if I put up shelves.
I've lost some weight, (on the "break-up" diet) ;->, and now my pants won't stay up! So I can shop for new ones! La Doggie can stand on a padded footrest and watch(and bark at) life go by out the window, or sleep in the sun all day (front of the apt in the am, back in the pm). I joined the famous Food Coop in Park Slope, and love it! It's like a massive health food store, super cheep. Got a ruffler attachment for my sewing machine, but it scares me, so I'm still making pleats by hand for extra-full skirts for the shop. Using very cool geometric african fabric in cream, black and metalic gold. I *LOVE* working in my studio all morning, then running the shop all afternoon. My skin has cleared up. Favorite food right now: organic blood oranges. Knitted bikini tops have segued into engineered halter tops, just finished a second one. Seriously contemplating buying a Nikon Coolpix 2500 digital camera. Unfortunately, it's got a USB interface, and I'm still using my ancient, cobbled together Frankenstein of a Mac, with a G3 motherboard upgrade and the old serial ports. I really need to get a new computer, so the whole thing is looking like a very expensive proposition. I most likely will just bite the bullet, and get a G4. Had beginner knitting class out on the lavender benches in front of the shop last night, because of the heat. Incredible fun, and thanks for the cookies, Mara! Got to get more birdseed. 4.13.2002
OH, Hello! Finally I got moved, somewhat set-up here, and back on line! Verizon Sucks! Got a dial-up from Bway.net in about 2 minutes instead. Love the new apartment, top floor, sunny and big. Doggie and I go to Prospect park most mornings if the weather is good to run with the other hundreds of loose dogs allowed off the leash in the am in the big meadow. A very refreshing way to start the day. Sparrows have eaten their way through 20 lbs of wild bird seed in the last 3 weeks from the feeder I put on the fire escape in the back. Bought a miniature rose for my bathroom with the skylight.
Knitted many cotton washclothes these last weeks, and gave them away to my wonderful friends, who helped me get through the last month. THese have now turned into triangle bikini tops (with a little shaping and short-rowing), which are filling the shop. Will post a picture of these soon. Just so happy to be back online, and resuming some type of a routine daily life. |
|
